A suggestion a day from the Williamsburg Regional Library

Christmas in the Clouds

I remember one of our library users recommending Christmas in the Clouds to me last year. She said it wasn’t a typical feel-good holiday movie, but in a good way. It was a movie she would check out to watch again and again. I’m sorry it took me a whole year to get around to watching this – it is delightful!

Sky Mountain Resort is located on an American Indian reservation and is in desperate need of some publicity. The resort manager, Ray Clouds on Fire, receives a letter that a travel magazine is sending a reviewer to check out the resort over the Christmas holiday week. A good review would be just what they need to get more guests to the resort. The staff doesn’t know who this reviewer will be — so of course, they assume it’s the wrong guest.

One of the many quirky characters at the resort is the chef played by Graham Greene (Dances with Wolves, Twilight). He’s a vegetarian, reluctantly fixing dishes with meat to appease his boss. But when he comes out to the dining room to greet the guests during dinner, well, you just have to watch what happens.

And there’s romance! Ray’s dad has been corresponding with a widow who decides to surprise him with a visit to the resort. Again, a mistaken identity worthy of a Shakespearean play ensues. But with the attraction, flirtation, tongue-in-cheek silliness… the movie delivered more than what I was expecting.

Christmas in the Clouds was featured in the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. It also competed in the 2001 editions of the Austin Film Festival and the Santa Fe Film Festival, winning the Best Competition Feature Film Award and the Best Native American-Themed Film Award, respectively.

While the mistaken identity theme isn’t new, it is treated well. It’s not zany; it’s amusing. You won’t guffaw; but you’ll have a smile on your face. If you’re looking for a sweet romance with a touch of Christmas cheer – snuggle up with Christmas in the Clouds (94 minutes, rated PG).